HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-28 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee
� Meeting Minutes
February 28, 2001
Councilors Attending: Nichi Farnham, Joseph Baldacci '
Staff Attending: John Hamer, Bob Farrar, Sgt. Hodges, Chief Winslow
Others Attending: Several taxicab drivers
Meeting convened at 5:05 p.m.
1. Taxicab Ordinance Amendment
Assistant City Solicitor John Hamer explained that the purpose of this
amendment is essentially to permit taxis to have the proper signage on their
cars. Historically, a taxicab company has owned cabs and they would have their
name on the cars. More recently, there has been a trend toward having cab
drivers own their own vehicles. Under the current ordinance, that would mean
they would have to have their own name on the car and the license rather than
� the company for which they work. The purpose of this amendment is to permit
the individual cab drivers to own their own vehicles yet be associated with a
dispatch center or a company and use their services and allow them to keep the
names of the dispatch service on the car. Staff also incorporated the permission
to use "Taxi" or"Cab" instead of taxicab.
Dick Caldwell — Pine Tree Taxi: Mr. Caldwell indicated that the concern is that
they are under the impression that if they hired someone, the company name
had to be on the registration of the car. It is difficult for a company to do this
because of liability issues, etc. It is Mr. Caldwell's feeling that the change John
Hamer has indicated should take care of this issue.
Tim Caldwell — Pine Tree Taxi: Mr. Caldwell asked if they can have lease
operators working with the company name on the car? Is it is okay on the door
if they have the operator's name on and then indicate that it is leased to "Pine
Tree Taxi" on the side.
John Hamer answered that with this amendment, they would not have to have
the individual's name. It could just state the company name.
]ohn Caldwell: Mr. Caldwell asked if once this amendment goes through, is it the
� City's intention to only require the names of the leasees be submitted to the
Chief of Police once a month or all people driving cabs affiliated with any form of
� dispatching? ]ohn answered that the dispatch center would have to submit a list
of all people they have driving whether they own the vehicles or lease the
vehicles.
Chief Winslow indicated that Town Taxi currently supplies the Department with
names on a monthly basis. They are the only company that has been doing it
with any regularity; however, all the companies were reminded that it is an
obligation.
It was asked what happens prior to approval of this amendment with respect to
lease operators? John answered that this does not take effect until the full
Council has voted on it. In the meantime, they can submit information to the
City Clerk to hold the information which will be entered as soon as this
amendment takes effect.
It was asked what would stop someone from indicating that they are working for
a company and license the vehicle under the company's name. John indicated
that every month the company would have to give a list of their drivers and if
the name is not on the list, they will not be able to license under the company
name. This is why it is required that the company provides a list of their drivers.
� Bob Farrar indicated that if the Committee agrees to this change, and if there
appears to be no objection from the public, it would only need to go for first
reading and can then be put on the next Council Agenda. �
Finally, taxicab drivers asked if they could meet with a City representative to
discuss other areas of general concern. Councilors Farnham and Baldacci
� suggested that they initially meet with Assistant City Solicitor Hamer, with the
possibility of returning to the Government Operations Committee if further action
was required to address their concerns. Attorney Hamer agreed to schedule
such a meeting.
Committee approved recommendation to Council.
2. Ordinance 01-124: Amending the Parkina Ordinance: Elimination of Two-
hour Parking Zone at 72-74 Somerset Street
Sgt. Hodges explained that this space is 60' long in front of a residence. He
spoke to the people that live here and sent a letter to the actual building owner
listed in the Assessor's Office and received no response. He assumes that there
used to be some type of business there in the past. Committee approved
. recommendation to Council.
• 3. Ordinance 01-125: Amending the Parking Ordinance: Elimination of
Loading Zone — First Street
Sgt. Hodges explained that this is a loading zone near the old St. Mary's School
which was probably used for school buses at one time. CHCS would like to have
it removed so that they can use it for parking. Staff recommends. Approved
recommendation to Council.
4. Ordinance 01-126: Amending the Parking Ordinance: Addition of
Handica�ped Parking Space near 44 Penobscot Street
Sgt. Hodges explained that this was a request from a doctor at this location.
There are handicapped patients that go to the office. There is also another
doctor nearby and there is no other handicap space in the area. Approved
recommendation to Council.
5. Council Resolve 01-128: Appropriating $900 in Funds from the Federal
Drug Forfeiture Account to Purchase Digital Cellular Phones
Chief Winslow explained that one year ago he approached the Finance
Committee with approximately $200,000 worth of recommendations for
• expenditures for the forfeiture drug seizure account of which a number of items
were approved. There were a few items that were put on hold until more
information could be gathered. The committee was a member of a cross-
functional team that the Chief put together at the Police Department to make the
recommendations to the Council. They recommended that $5,000 of forFeiture
money be set aside to convert the existing analog cellular phones to digital. At
the time, Unicel didn't have enough towers up to support digital service in this
area. The committee suggested waiting until Unicel was ready. Unicel has
assured staff that they have enough towers up and that service is reliable in the
Bangor area. The biggest advantage to going to digital is that it is secure.
$5,000 was enough to support the initial purchase of the new phones, make the
conversion, add three additional phones and pay for some of the service for the
first couple of years. For $900, staff can purchase three additional phones, and
convert the 12 existing phones to digital. The current service charges will go up
$75 per month for the three additional phone which will be incorporated into the
operating budget. Committee approved.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned.
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